Bulls grasp for ways to maintain rebounding edge

With Noah out, they know others have to step up to keep critical part of game working

March 04, 2010|By K.C. Johnson, Tribune reporter

The Bulls still lead the league in rebounding, although their lead over the second-place Lakers has dwindled. And nobody will be surprised if that slips with Joakim Noah sidelined at least three weeks.

This is where Noah's absence will be felt most.

"We have to gang rebound," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Our guards have to get long rebounds. We don't have much length up front with Joakim out. Derrick (Rose) can get rebounds with his athletic ability. We can't give teams second opportunities. And we have to get out on the break."

To underscore how important this category is to the Bulls' success, they are 24-10 when they outrebound their opponent.

"It's kind of depressing knowing a guy like that is going to be out that long," Rose said. "Joakim is always active, always tipping balls out. The guards even have to focus in on long rebounds and hustle plays. We just have to fight through it. There are no excuses."

In Kneed: After missing two straight practice days with sore knees, both Rose and Luol Deng played. Deng returned from missing his first game of the season, which ruined his goal of playing all 82 after injury-plagued seasons.